blue bonnet?

[DWFII]

What's the "proper" (historical?) way to wear a Jacobite style blue bonnet? Square on the head but pulled over the right ear? Tilted and pulled over the ear? or Square on the head with no shaping of the bonnet itself?

I have a white cockade that will be mounted over the left temple, so if that makes a difference....

I realize that the blue bonnet was probably worn all kinds of different ways but what I'm seeking is a recognizable "look" appropriate to the bonnet and, perhaps but not rigidly, to the period.

[Pleater]

From a couple of references, which is rather scanty I know, historically, the blue or Scotch bonnet was worn every and any which way, either as it fell or happened to get pulled.

If you are putting on a cockade then I think you should wear it so it is visible, but other than that just find a mirror and try it various ways until you find one that you feel suits you. If you find the bonnet too large or floppy for your taste you can fold in a pleat and sew or pin it to reduce the volume and suport the cockade. It makes a place to wear a feather or other ornament, or to hide folding money.

Anne the Pleater

[Riverkilt]

Old paintings would probably be the best source if you can google any up somehow.

This famous Jacobite painting is probably fairly new, but hopefully the artist researched the blue bonnet placement...



Ron

[Deil the Yin]

What's the "proper" (historical?) way to wear a Jacobite style blue bonnet? Square on the head but pulled over the right ear? Tilted and pulled over the ear? or Square on the head with no shaping of the bonnet itself?

I have a white cockade that will be mounted over the left temple, so if that makes a difference....

I realize that the blue bonnet was probably worn all kinds of different ways but what I'm seeking is a recognizable "look" appropriate to the bonnet and, perhaps but not rigidly, to the period.

From a couple of references, which is rather scanty I know, historically, the blue or Scotch bonnet was worn every and any which way, either as it fell or happened to get pulled.

If you are putting on a cockade then I think you should wear it so it is visible, but other than that just find a mirror and try it various ways until you find one that you feel suits you. If you find the bonnet too large or floppy for your taste you can fold in a pleat and sew or pin it to reduce the volume and suport the cockade. It makes a place to wear a feather or other ornament, or to hide folding money.

Anne the Pleater

My first thought regarding this issue was something along the lines of Pleater, as I've never known the Jacobite army to have had "uniforms" in which the cap might have been worn to some regulation. On top of that the nature of Gaelic Highland culture tends to be individualistic and creative as opposed to rigidly militaristic or imperial etc (eg though the breacan mor or great plaid was the common habit among highlanders, it could be worn in a myriad of ways in addition to the pattern/tartan itself which were woven to individual specs as opposed to the modern custom of "clan tartans"). That being said, I'm not exactly an expert on the Jacobite armies, so the question arose- were there in fact uniformed regiments within the Jacobite contingency at anytime of the '45? Pray tell...

Curiously,
Wesley

[macwilkin]

My first thought regarding this issue was something along the lines of Pleater, as I've never known the Jacobite army to have had "uniforms" in which the cap might have been worn to some regulation. On top of that the nature of Gaelic Highland culture tends to be individualistic and creative as opposed to rigidly militaristic or imperial etc (eg though the breacan mor or great plaid was the common habit among highlanders, it could be worn in a myriad of ways in addition to the pattern/tartan itself which were woven to individual specs as opposed to the modern custom of "clan tartans"). That being said, I'm not exactly an expert on the Jacobite armies, so the question arose- were there in fact uniformed regiments within the Jacobite contingency at anytime of the '45? Pray tell...

Curiously,
Wesley

Well, yes and no...the myth of the Jacobite forces paints them all as wild Highland clansmen, when in reality there were a number of "military" units serving with Charles during the '45, such as Lord John Drummond's Royal Ecossais, who were serving in the French Army as exiles, akin to their Irish cousins, the famous "Wild Geese". You can see recreated uniforms of the Royal Ecossias here:

http://www.scotwars.com/html/royal_e...s_regiment.htm

Other uniformed Jacobite regiments included the Irish piquets (Irish soldiers in French service seconded to Charlie), Fitz-James Horse and Baggot's Hussars:

http://www.scotwars.com/html/fitzjames_regiment.htm

http://theborderers.info/BaggotsHussars.html

Stuart Reid's The Scottish Jacobite Army 1745-46 has some good information about the forces loyal to the Young Pretender.

I'm sure Woodsheal will chime in as well...

Regards,

Todd

[Derek Conley]

Old paintings would probably be the best source if you can google any up somehow.

This famous Jacobite painting is probably fairly new, but hopefully the artist researched the blue bonnet placement...



Ron

Ron, can you tell me the name of this illustration and the artist? That's phenomenal.

[Woodsheal]

That painting is "The Jacobite" by current artist Robert Griffing:
http://www.lordnelsons.com/gallery/f...riffing/40.htm

The problem with it is something all too common amongst reenactors of that period: combining a poor clansman's clothes (only a shirt and a belted plaid) with a clan gentleman's weapons (fine broadsword, elegant fowling piece). A highlander able to afford such weaponry would not be running around in his shirtsleeves! A waistcoat and coat would be in evidence with a fighting man of this class:

[Pleater]

I suspect that the British workman's flat cap is the direct descendant of the bonnet - though the flat cap is still worn by almost all classes at various times, the exception being some middle class gents who rather fall between two stools.

It is not worn solely by men, though ladies like ones with a slightly softer style, and they tend to keep them cleaner and neater than the men too.

I have noted that servicemen in the desert tend to shape their berets so as to shade their eyes, so making them into the same shape as a flat cap, or exactly like the one in Woodsheal's post, though working with a smaller dome of fabric.

I wear berets, and when I make/get a new one I always have to felt it, or just wet it, press it in a towel to remove the surplus water, then put it on damp and pull it into the shape I want. Otherwise it tries to retain the circular shape it was made rather than the oval and folded down one side shape I want to wear it in.

Anne the Pleater

[Derek Conley]

That painting is "The Jacobite" by current artist Robert Griffing:

Thank you!

[CDNSushi]

Jacobitesque.

And Woodsheal, your linky is dead. RIP.

http://www.lordnelsons.com/gallery/f...riffing/40.htm